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      Marco Reus laps up sun on luxury yacht with stunning supermodel girlfriend as Dortmund star begins holiday

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      MARCO REUS has jetted off to Spain for a well-deserved break with his stunning wife.
      The Borussia Dortmund star, 31, was pictured with Scarlett Gartmann, 26, on a luxury yacht.

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      Marco Reus topped up his tan on the back of the boat

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      The loved-up couple enjoyed a cheeky kiss on the yacht
      Reus and Gartmann soaked up the sunshine as they laid on the back of the boat.
      The loved-up couple, who shared a cheeky kiss on board, were joined by friends in Formentera.
      After the supermodel tied the German star’s hair up in a top knot, they went for a dip in the sea.
      Scarlett looked incredible as she topped up her tan while wearing a skimpy white bikini.

      The pair have been dating since 2015 and they welcomed their baby daughter to the world last year.
      Reus is keen to make the most of his break from the Bundesliga season.
      Dortmund finished second in the table with 21 wins from 34 matches.

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      Scarlett Gartmann tidied up the footballer’s hair

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      The stunning Wag has jetted off to Spain with the Dortmund star

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      The German star has played for Borussia Dortmund since 2012
      Bayern Munich landed the title for the eighth successive time after beating Werder Bremen.

      Reus has remained a key figure for the German giants – who he has been with since 2012.
      He scored 11 goals and made five assists in 19 league appearances this term.

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      Marco Reus’ wife Scarlett Gartmann is a model from Germany

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      Marco Reus sported a pair of sunglasses and black swimming trunks

      Jadon Sancho enjoys Ibiza break on a yacht as he takes mind off transfer rumours More

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      Bayern Munich fume over Ballon d’Or axe after favourite Robert Lewandowski ‘performed the best season in his career’

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      BAYERN MUNICH chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has fumed at France Football’s decision not to award a 2020 Ballon d’Or.
      The Bundesliga champions’ prolific striker Robert Lewandowski had been the bookies favourite to land the prestigious individual award for the first time.

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      Robert Lewandowski bagged 51 goals in 43 games this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Bayern chairman and two-time winner Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was unimpressed with the decisionCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But in order to “avoid overly convoluted calculations”, France Football decided to axe the award for the first time in its 56-year history.
      On the decision, Rummenigge, himself a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 1980 and 1981, said: “I believe Robert Lewandowski is playing a fantastic season and he performed maybe the best season in his career.
      “Unfortunately France Football cancelled the Ballon d’Or which we are not very happy [with] and in the end it’s not very fair, not just Bayern but also for Robert Lewandowski who might have won.
      “I believe it’s very important that in a season that, except the French league, [the other leagues] performed through to the end of the season, it has to be possible to give the Ballon d’Or to the best footballer in the world.

      “And of course, I believe in those circumstances Robert would have a good chance to win it in the first time in his career.”
      Lionel Messi, winner in 2019, and Cristiano Ronaldo have hoarded the award in recent seasons – between them winning it in 11 of the last 12 years.
      But having netted an astonishing 51 goals in 43 games for Bayern this season, Lewandowski could have had a good chance of breaking that duopoly this time around – particularly with the Champions League rolling back around next month.
      ‘THE LEAST BAD OPTION’
      France Football chief Pascal Farre, however, insists that the decision was the fairest in protecting the integrity of the award.

      He said: “There will be no edition in 2020 because it turns out, after thoughtful consideration, that all of the conditions are not met.
      “We believe that such a singular year cannot – and should not – be treated as an ordinary one.
      “Two months [January and February] out of the 11 generally required to form an opinion and decide who should lift the trophies represent far too little to gauge and judge.
      “The other games were played – or will be played – in unordinary conditions, behind closed doors, with five replacements, the Champions League Final Eight played as single games.

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      Lewandowski had been 3/1 favourite BEFORE the award was axed

      “Finally, all the award seekers will not be in the same boat and some have seen the season cut short.
      “Therefore, how can we establish a fair comparison?
      “To avoid overly convoluted calculations and projections, we chose the least bad of the options.”

      Stats say that Lionel Messi would have won Ballon d’Or this season with Cristiano Ronaldo missing out on the top three More

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      Bayern Munich emerge as shock contenders for Max Aarons transfer in blow to Tottenham

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      BAYERN MUNICH have emerged as shock contenders to sign Norwich right-back Max Aarons.
      Aarons has had a breakthrough campaign – making 40 appearances – despite the Canaries finishing rock bottom.

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      Bayern Munich have emerged as shock contenders to sign Norwich right-back Max Aarons
      Following his standout season, the defender has attracted several potential suitors keen to prevent the 20-year-old from playing in the Championship.
      Tottenham are among those but according to Sky Sports Austria, so are the German champions.
      Frenchman Benjamin Pavard has established himself as Bayern’s first choice right-back, though he is also capable of playing in a three man backline.
      Boss Hans-Dieter Flick is looking for back up in that position.

      But with Aarons on course to contend for a first-team position the England Under-21 international can provide competition for Pavard.
      The Bundesliga kings will face competition from the Premier League though.
      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on a move for the Norwich full-back as he looks to stamp his mark on the squad.

      He is understood to have some reservations about 5ft 10in Aarons’ height but the Portuguese manager is still expected to give him a shot in North London. 

      Spurs right-back Serge Aurier is attracting interest from Europe with Monaco reportedly keen on taking him back to France and Aarons could be the ideal replacement. 
      Tottenham are also looking at Southampton’s wantaway former skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

      José Mourinho says Spurs will not ‘buy players for £100m’ but will ‘improve’ squad after securing Europa League football with draw against Crystal Palace More

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      Birmingham City retire Jude Bellingham’s No22 shirt despite him playing just 44 games and quitting for Borussia Dortmund

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY have decided to retire Jude Bellingham’s No22 shirt – even though he only played 44 games for the club.
      The midfielder became the world’s most expensive 17-year-old when Borussia Dortmund signed him for £30million on Monday.

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      Jude Bellingham played his final game for Birmingham City on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bellingham has progressed through the ranks at Birmingham after joining the club at seven years old.
      He became the club’s youngest ever first-team player at the age of 16 years an 38 days last August.
      In total, he scored two goals and four assists in 44 appearances for his boyhood club.
      And Birmingham have decided to honour his achievements by retiring his shirt number.

      A statement on the club website read: “In such a short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication.
      “His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.
      “The 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged 16 ears and 38 days and these qualities.
      “And as such the Club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and inspire others.”

      But not every fan agreed that Bellingham had done enough for the club to warrant his number being retired.
      One Twitter user asked: “How utterly bonkers is this?”
      Another added: “Absolutely stupid decision. The reason given to retire the number was the most stupid thing ever.”
      And one joked: “Why don’t we just go all out and build a statue too?”

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      Jude Bellingham will continue his tradition wearing No22 next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bellingham will wear Dortmund’s No22 shirt next season after he snubbed interest from Manchester United to join them.
      The 17-year-old played for Birmingham for the final time in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Derby.
      But the talented youngster was targeted by a sick abuse during his last appearance for the club.

      Forever our #22.Good luck at @BVB, Jude! 👊
      — Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 23, 2020 More

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      Leon Goretzka poses for workout pics after body transformation as Bayern Munich stars stay in shape for Champions League

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      LEON GORETZKA showed the hard work never stops – even after you’ve just won the Bundesliga.
      The Bayern Munich star continued to show off the results of his stunning body transformation while the German kings wait for the Champions League to come back.

      It was more than a month ago that Bayern were crowned German champions for an eighth straight year.
      And despite beating Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last-16 first-leg clash, Bayern and Goretzka in particular are refusing to take it easy.
      The Germany midfielder showed off his chiselled torso to his 1.1million Instagram followers.
      Goretzka, 25, stunned fans with his physical change during lockdown.

      He recently revealed it was all part of a carefully put-together plan designed to increase his size and mass.

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      The Germany midfielder has continued to work hard even in this time off

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      Goretzka has been working hard in the gym and the gains are there for all to seeCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Goretzka is now the muscular midfielder bossing the middle of the parkCredit: EPA

      He told Bild: “For me, lockdown was both a crisis and an opportunity.
      “A crisis because you miss football and daily training with the team, but also a chance to gain muscle mass in co-ordination with the physiotherapist.
      “In crucial games and moments, it is important to be physically and mentally fit.

      “The weight helps me in tackles, makes me a bit more agile and robust.
      “Not only on the ground in a one-on-one, but also in the air.”
      Bayern will welcome Frank Lampard’s side to the Allianz on August 8 with the tie seemingly sewed up after a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
      But Goretzka said he and his team-mates – who have not played since the July 4 DFB Cup final victory over Bayer Leverkusen – are taking nothing for granted ahead of the clash.
      He said: “Chelsea have the advantage in that they are travelling to Munich just after the season, while we want to refind our rhythm.

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      Goretzka, here next to keeper Manuel Neuer, has clearly filled out from a few months agoCredit: AFP or licensors

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      All of the Bayern stars, including Robert Lewandowski, are continuing to work hard

      “We’ll do everything to make sure Chelsea won’t be successful again in Munich.
      “It’s clear to every one of us that the competition and our path to the final is extremely challenging.
      “But we’ve already had a great season, winning the league and cup. Now our focus is on Chelsea and the Champions League.”

      Thiago Alcantara shows off his awesome skills in Bayern Munich training More

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      Gotze voted Bundesliga’s ‘biggest disappointment’ ahead of Coutinho by fellow pros as Dortmund career comes to sad end

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      MARIO GOTZE’S sad end to his Borussia Dortmund career just got that bit worse.
      The World Cup winner beat Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho in a brutal players’ poll to find the Bundesliga’s biggest “disappointment”.

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      Mario Gotze faces an undignified exit at Borussia Dortmund after rejecting a pay cut and topping a player poll for biggest ‘disappointment’Credit: PA

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      Philippe Coutinho was fifth on the list of flops, as voted for by Bundesliga stars, but is again being linked with ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
      Dortmund are offloading Gotze as his contract ends this summer following a dramatic slump in form since his return from rivals Bayern Munich four years ago.
      And having won three Bundesliga crowns, the 28-year-old has now finished off with a domestic nomination he certainly did not want.
      German top-flight players put Gotze way ahead of his rivals on 30 per cent in their list of flops.
      Bayern keeper Alex Nuebel was next on 11.5 per cent, ahead of Botafogo’s ex-Hertha Berlin and Chelsea wideman Salomon Kalou, Schalke frontman Guido Burgstaller and Barcelona’s Bayern loanee Coutinho, with 3.7 per cent.

      Gotze was a key man when Germany won the ultimate prize in Brazil six years ago, scoring the extra-time winner in the final against Argentina.

      But his form faltered and in 2016 he was diagnosed with a muscular disorder called myopathy.
      Nonetheless, even Arsenal have been mentioned in the past as potential Premier League suitors for the 63-cap star.
      And with Barca reportedly interested in swapping Coutinho for outcast Gunners’ midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, Gotze will surely be mentioned in Prem circles again if his wage demands are realistic.

      The Bundesliga poll did, though, offer encouraging news for Chelsea over new signing Timo Werner and Manchester United for pursuing England attacker Jadon Sancho.

      Although Robert Lewandowski dominated the “best outfield player” category on 42.6 per cent, Sancho was second on 14.1 per cent and Werner fifth on 2.5 per cent.
      The most emphatic win came in the world’s “best trainer” section, where Liverpool’s title-winning boss Jurgen Klopp scored 74.8 per cent, ahead of second-placed Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola on 13 per cent.
      And there was also a landslide success for the Prem itself, rated by 74.4 per cent as the word’s top league, compared to a vote of 17.8 per cent for the Bundesliga.

      Barcelona ‘offer Arsenal Philippe Coutinho in swap transfer for bad-boy Guendouzi’ as Gunners try to offload midfielder More

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      Seven kids Dortmund made world-class like Lewandowski and Sancho after convincing Bellingham with youth development

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is hoping to become the latest youngster to catapult himself on the European stage after joining Borussia Dortmund.
      The 17-year-old officially joined the Bundesliga outfit on Monday morning from Championship side Birmingham in a fee believed to be in the region of £25million.

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      Big things are expected of Jude Bellingham at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bellingham is already considered to be one of England’s most promising talents after a season in which he has scored four times and provided three assists in 40 games.
      But there will now be expectation on the youngster to deliver after his big-money move, but he knows he is arguably at the perfect club for him to develop his talents.
      Dortmund are famed for putting trust in youthful players in their first team, and here SunSport looks at seven players that have flourished at Signal Iduna Park.
      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
      The Polish marksman joined BVB from Lech Poznan as a 21-year-old, and went on to become one of the most feared striker’s in Europe during his time at the club.

      In four seasons he scored a total of 103 goals in 187 games, before he joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014 – much to the dismay of Dortmund fans.
      Supporters felt betrayed after he joined their rivals, despite winning two consecutive German top-flight titles.

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      Robert Lewandowski joined Bayer Munich after four fantastic seasons with BVBCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      JADON SANCHO
      Bellingham will be hoping his English compatriot stays at the club, despite Manchester United looking to bring him back to the Premier League.
      Sancho joined BVB as a 17-year-old from Manchester City in 2017 before he had even made his senior debut.

      After bursting through in his opening campaign in Germany, Sancho is now regarded as one of the top wingers in world football.
      And he enjoyed another scintillating season this term – chipping in with 20 goals and 20 assists.

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      The future of Jadon Sancho remains unclear with Manchester United desperate to sign himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ERLING HAALAND
      Although he only joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January with the reputation as a deadly finisher, few expected the Norwegian ace to maintain his goalscoring exploits at a higher level.
      Prior to his arrival, he had banged in 28 goals for Salzburg this term, but he has added a whopping 16 strikes at Dortmund bringing his tally for the season to 44.
      Much of that is down to how the club have managed Haaland, and how they find players that are perfectly suited to their style of play.
      OUSMANE DEMBELE
      Dembele spent just one year in Germany after joining from Rennes in 2016 for £13.5m.
      A year later he signed for Barcelona for a staggering £124m after a campaign that saw him score ten goals and provide 21 assists in 49 matches.
      CHRISTIAN PULISIC
      The American winger, 21, now at Chelsea, came through the academy at Dortmund after joining their youth team in 2015.
      And he proved that if you’re good enough you’re old enough, as he made his debut in January 2016, where he cemented himself as a key player in the first team.
      After scoring 19 goals in 127 games, he linked up with the Blues last summer in a £58million deal.
      MARIO GOTZE
      Another player that came through the ranks at Dortmund, Gotze made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old in 2009.
      Like Lewandowski, he was a huge part of their two Bundesliga title-winning seasons, before he too opted to join Bayern on a free.
      And it was his goal that secured the 2014 World Cup for Germany thanks to his beautiful volley in extra time.

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      TOMAS ROSICKY
      Despite spending ten years at Arsenal, it was at Dortmund where the Czech playmaker made his name.
      He joined the side from Sparta Prague in January 2001 as a 20-year-old, and quickly became the club’s key creative spark in the final third.
      His first full season saw him win the Bundesliga title, while he was also a losing finalist in the Uefa Cup.

      Perry Groves says ‘hats off’ to Jude Bellingham after 17-year-old seals £23m move to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City More

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      Jude Bellingham completes Borussia Dortmund transfer and admits club’s famed youth development saw him snub Man Utd

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have confirmed the £25m signing of teenager Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City in hilarious fashion.
      The 17-year-old midfielder’s arrival was announced with his new team-mates enjoying a singalong to Hey Jude by The Beatles on the club’s official Twitter account.

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      Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of Jude Bellingham from BirminghamCredit: Borussia Dortmund

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      Jude Bellingham (C) poses as he sings his contract next to Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke (L) and sporting director Michael ZorcCredit: Getty Images

      Bellingham snubbed Manchester United to join the Bundesliga giants on a “long-term” contract.
      And he hailed the history of youth development at his new club as the reason he joined.
      He said: “I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what the club did for me – not just this season, but since I came to the club when I was seven.
      “Now I’m really excited to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

      “BVB’s path, but especially how they help young players to improve, made the decision very easy for me personally and for my whole family.
      “I can’t wait to play in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.”

      Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc added: “Jude Bellingham confidently chose BVB and, of course, was primarily concerned with the sporting perspective that we showed him.
      “He has enormous potential that we share and want to develop with him in the coming years.

      “He already has a surprising amount of quality in his own possession as well as against the ball, and on top of that, the player also has a strong mentality.
      “We immediately see Jude as a reinforcement for our professional squad, but of course we will also give him the time to get used to the higher level.”
      England Under-17 international Bellingham has starred for Birmingham in the Championship despite their struggles.
      He has scored four and provided three assists during 40 appearances for Brum.
      The ace will join up with his new colleagues on July 30 and will wear shirt number 22.
      He snubbed both Manchester United and Bayern Munich to pen his £60,000-a-week deal at Dortmund.
      Sir Alex Ferguson even gave him a guided tour of United’s Carrington HQ in an attempt to secure his services.
      And Bayern were offering to both outbid Dortmund and beat the wages on offer.
      Dortmund increased their initial offer agreed with Blues but Bayern were  confident of landing the talented teen.
      Bellingham spoke to Bayern in those last-minute talks but felt heading to Dortmund, a club famed for giving youth — such as England winger Jadon Sancho — a chance,  was a much more sensible move.

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      Jude Bellingham snubbed both Manchester United and Bayern Munich to join DortmundCredit: Getty Images

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      Bellingham will wear the No 22 shirt for Dortmund next seasonCredit: Getty Images

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      Borussia Dortmund have a reputation of buying low and selling high – and it may just be holding them back

      Simon Jordan gives his opinion on Man Utd’s interest in Jude Bellingham More